Funeral Expenses and Tips for Planning a Funeral

Laying a loved one to rest can be one of the most painful events we experience in life. It can also be one of the most expensive.

Data from the National Funeral Directors Association shows that the average cost of an adult funeral in 2009 was $6,560. However, when additional expenses are factored in, such as burial costs and the purchase of a headstone, the typical cost for a funeral in the United States ends up being $8,000 – $10,000.

If you have recently had a funeral for a loved one who suffered a wrongful death, then you may be entitled to financial compensation for their funeral expenses. The lawyers at Mike Lewis Attorneys can help you learn about your legal options and fight for your rights.

To have your case evaluated for FREE, please fill out the form to the left. It’s 100% confidential.

Types of Funerals

The first step in planning a funeral is to decide which type you want to have. This will ultimately depend on your personal preferences, religious beliefs, and budget.

Here are the three types of funerals:

“Traditional” Full-service Funeral

This is generally the most common and expensive type of funeral. It includes a viewing, formal funeral service, a hearse to transport the body, and burial, entombment, or cremation of the remains.

Direct Burial

In a direct burial, the body is buried shortly after death, typically in a modest container. There is no viewing or visitation, and embalming isn’t required. Costs include basic service fees, transportation of the body, a casket or other burial container, and a cemetery plot or crypt. If the family decides to be graveside during the burial, the funeral home often charges an additional fee.

Direct Cremation

In a direct cremation, the body is cremated shortly after death, without embalming. The cremated remains are kept in an urn or alternative container, and no viewing is allowed. The deceased’s remains can be kept at home or scattered. This type of funeral is generally less expensive than the other two, but there will be a charge for the urn and a fee if the funeral home doesn’t have a crematory on site.

All of these options have different price points and charges, so make sure you get a complete estimate from the funeral director before you commit to anything.

Funeral Planning Tips

Funeral planning can be a very stressful process. It has to be done in a short time frame while you are dealing with the pain, and possibly shock, of losing someone you loved.

Here are some funeral planning tips that might make things a bit easier:

Do your research: Calling a few different funeral homes and requesting a complete estimate is a great way to start. This will allow you to compare your options and make the best decision.

Purchase a casket from another source: The casket can be one of the biggest expenses in a funeral, ranging anywhere from $1,000 to over $20,000. You can often find a better deal online than the funeral home will be able to give you. Funeral directors are required by law to accept caskets that weren’t purchased through them.

Find out if your state requires you to hire a funeral director: Some do, and some don’t. If you have the option to organize your service and arrangements, it can lower the overall costs.

Get a list of all prices: Under the FTC Funeral Rule, you have the right to get detailed price information for all items and services that a funeral home offers. This is to be given to you in the General Price List (GPL), and is yours to keep.

Choose only the goods and services you want: You have the right to buy separate goods (such as caskets) and services (such as embalming or a memorial service), and don’t have to accept any package that the funeral home offers that includes items that you don’t want.

Embalming is not mandatory: Most people believe that embalming, the process where the body is preserved with chemicals, is absolutely necessary and required, and it isn’t. However, it is encouraged if you are going to hold a public viewing but not if the funeral service is held within 48 hours after death.

Learn about alternatives and green practices: There is a less expensive or more eco-friendly option than the standard offering for every item and service provided by a funeral home. The director must inform you about these when you inquire about them.

As you can see, there are many decisions to make when a family member passes on. If you would like to spare your loved ones from the stress of negotiating prices and making purchasing decisions in their time of grief, you can make plans for your own funeral in advance. Put time and thought into what arrangements you would like, write them down on paper, and give copies to your family members and attorney.

Contact Our Wrongful Death Lawyers Today

The highly-skilled lawyers at Mike Lewis Attorneys believe that the family of someone who suffered a wrongful death is entitled to compensation for funeral expenses and are willing to fight in court to help victims get justice.

We also offer a No Fee Promise to our clients, which means that there’s never a fee unless we recover for you.

Our main office is located in Winston-Salem NC, and we are proud to offer legal counsel to wrongful death victims throughout the state, including those in:

Winston-Salem

Thomasville

Archdale

Salisbury

Reidsville

Greensboro

Clemmons

…and surrounding towns and cities

To learn more, contact us today at 866-299-1769. A friendly, professional member of our intake team will get the details of your case and then get you quickly connected to the attorney that can best handle your case.

If you’d prefer to contact us online, please fill out the Free Case Evaluation form at the top of this page.

Settlement for 25 year old motorcyclist rendered quadriplegic when a vehicle pulled out from a side street in front of him. Insurance company initially denied the claim based on contributory negligence and offered $25,000. Working with co-counsel, the case was settled after 2 weeks of trial.

$3,000,000 - Settlement for Female Plantiff

Settlement for a female plaintiff who was the sole survivor of a pickup truck accident.The plaintiff was diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from the accident.

$1,393,000 - Workers’ Compensation Settlement

1,393,000.00 Settlement - Workers’ Compensation Settlement for a 47-year-old man. While working for a city’s parks and recreation department, he suffered a traumatic brain injury after being struck in the head by a baseball bat and then hitting his head on an electrical box when he fell.

$1,250,000 - Big Truck Accident With Back Injury

55 year old male with PTSD and back injury from rear end collision with tractor trailer.

$1,050,000 - Award in Trucking Accident

Award in trucking accident involving wrongful death of a mother and daughter

$1,000,000 - Award for Female Postal Worker

Award for a female postal worker who suffered from a dog bite injury. She suffered severe lacerations and post-traumatic stress disorder from the incident.

$975,000 - Settlement

Settlement for a 33-year-old woman that was struck by a motor vehicle while working in a “work zone” on the side of the road. She required extensive surgery for the pelvis, ankles, and bladder.

$925,000 - Settlement for 88-year-old man

Settlement reached for 88-year-old man whose 90-year-old wife was killed when their vehicle was struck by a home heating oil truck.

You guys were very good on giving me info on what will happen next with my disability case. You were always good about helping me stay positive and called me back in a timely manner. My legal assistant was very nice to work with!” I would recommend you because you were very fair and honest with reasonable prices. Thank you so much for helping me get my disability. You helped my stress levels. They are way better.

Wendy E., Lexington, NC

I felt like I was your only client. I was always treated with the utmost respect and empathy from day one. There wasn’t a time that my calls were ever delayed or not returned. I would certainly recommend you. I wouldn’t change a thing about my experience and it was pleasant and awesome. My legal assistant always found a way to bring a smile during the darkest hours of my recovery. She is a great asset to your firm. I will never forget the compassion she showed.

Teresa B., Winston Salem, NC

The firm was absolutely wonderful. You couldn’t have treated me better. I am thankful for all the time you invested in my case! You were dogged! You didn’t give up. You saw it to the very end. Thank you!! P.s. I love Tammy Hale!

Caron M., Lexington, NC

Your firm called to make sure I was OK and you handled my case pretty quickly. I liked your fast, friendly service.

Joseph W., Winston-Salem, NC

“Your firm kept me updated step-by-step. You made every bit of the process clear to me since I’d never been in a situation like this before. I would recommend you because it was an easy process and Mike Lewis Attorneys is a well-known firm.”

Stacey G, Greensboro, NC

They kept me up on my case. Keep up the good work!

I.J.G., Winston-Salem, N.C.

Mike Lewis attorneys worked with good competency and had good follow up. I felt well represented.

Cami P., Winston-Salem, NC

This office handled everything wonderfully.

Melisa G., Ramseur, NC

The most memorable thing was the courtesy. I was always updated on our case. I’d recommend because of your honest work.

Author: Mitch Grissim, Mitch Grissim & Associates Workers’ compensation is an essential form of insurance for almost every worker in the United States. The good thing about it is that it doesn’t cost you anything, and you don’t have to …Read More »

There’s a new generation war going on in our culture right now, and millennials are at the center of it. There have been all sorts of accusations leveled at this generation: that they’re entitled, that they want something for nothing, …Read More »

Distracted driving is becoming an epidemic danger on roadways across the country. Everyone knows how dangerous it is to drink and drive, but they somehow think it’s safe to take your eyes off the road to look at a mobile …Read More »

According to research from National Association of Counties (NACO), North Carolina has more than 70,000 miles in rural roads. This may conjure up picturesque images of peaceful pastures and living life at a slower pace. While that may certainly be …Read More »